The MacBook Air: Three Sacrificed Features

I think Steve Jobs definitely hit the nail on the head with the MacBook Air—It's super tiny, it comes with a bright LED display, has exceptional battery life, a built-in iSight camera with microphone, and includes a large multi-touch trackpad. But as innovative and chic as this notebook is, I can't deny the fact that there are three main features that I wish it didn't omit. Scroll down to see what they are. Features like an optical drive that allows you to copy tunes from CDs to iTunes or watch DVDs. As well as an ethernet port since you're basically outta luck if you can't find a wireless network to connect to (good luck finding WiFi in older hotels). And last but not least, the MacBook Air only comes with one USB port. . . Let's just say you're going to need a USB hub for sure! Nonetheless, it's understandable that there's going to be some compromise for having a laptop as sleek and light as the MacBook Air.

SkinnyMarie (Comment #5) doesn't have the numbers right:It's almost 2 cm at its thickest; not at its thinnest point.At its thinnest point its .4 cm.Remember when Jobs intro'd the first computer without a floppy drive? The same doom-&-gloom comments appeared, bemoaning the absence of this "much needed feature." And it wasn't "fixed" with the next rev.What actually happened? No computer has a floppy drive now.I'll take bets that this is the wave of the future.

SkinnyMarie (Comment #5) doesn't have the numbers right:
It's almost 2 cm at its thickest; not at its thinnest point.
At its thinnest point its .4 cm.
Remember when Jobs intro'd the first computer without a floppy drive? The same doom-&-gloom comments appeared, bemoaning the absence of this "much needed feature." And it wasn't "fixed" with the next rev.
What actually happened? No computer has a floppy drive now.
I'll take bets that this is the wave of the future.

I rarely need ethernet, more than 1 USB or even an optical drive but the MacBook Air is still not for me. I need the power and the bigger screen to so my job. I will be looking forward to the bigger trackpad on future models though.

Honestly, this notebook is NOT for the everyday person.
It's more for business people on-the-go who can use it to take quick notes and stick it in a briefcase.
It's not supposed to be a decked-out media center/work station.
If you want something like that, get a MacBook or a MacBook Pro.
The purpose of the MacBook Air is versatility and convenience, and having been a business student, I have to say, carrying around something that thin and light for taking notes, is very, very convenient.

Honestly, this notebook is NOT for the everyday person.It's more for business people on-the-go who can use it to take quick notes and stick it in a briefcase.It's not supposed to be a decked-out media center/work station.If you want something like that, get a MacBook or a MacBook Pro.The purpose of the MacBook Air is versatility and convenience, and having been a business student, I have to say, carrying around something that thin and light for taking notes, is very, very convenient.

Thanks for posting this, because I was so wanting one until I paid attention to these missing features - in this situation, the pros definitely outweigh the cons. I could see myself getting frustrated with it verrrry quickly.

I wonder how well it's really going to do. The economy is in a pinch and it's not designed to be your only computer, just a travel one. It's not got enough memory for students, so .... I guess we'll see :-)

I have a Gateway right now. I like it just fine. I think the next laptop I get will be a Macbook, but not this one. It needs to have more of the things I want. I love how thin it is, but that's about it.

I use my MacBook every day at work and I have to be connected via ethernet to print. It's very impractical if it's going to be your only computer, but if you have a desktop or another laptop, it works. It just depends on the lifestyle- that's all.

I think you're missing the point that this notebook is designed to be ultra-thin! It's all about portability. Of course, it's going to have to sacrifice some features like an optical drive. That's why it's designed to wirelessly connect to another computer's CD/DVD drive. And do you really need more than one ethernet port these days with the huge prevalence of wifi? The people who use this sort of laptop are probably not going to be hooked up very often to an ethernet jack.As for USB, lots of keyboards and mice can use bluetooth. How often will your ultra-thin laptop need to be jacked in to more than one USB device?If you need all three things so desperately, save your money and get a MacBook.